Varies by private hauler (Village DPW accepts standard 32-gallon cans) Bin (Trash)
Village residents must use 32-gallon cans or heavy-duty tied bags (max 40 lbs) placed at the curb by 5:00 a.m. Town residents must follow their private carter's specific bin rules.
Accepted Items
- ✓Normal household garbage
- ✓Food packaging
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Soiled paper
Varies by private hauler Bin (Recycling)
Town residents will have single or dual-stream guidelines provided by their private hauler. Village residents must keep paper separate from commingled containers.
Accepted Items
- ✓Clean glass bottles and jars
- ✓Plastic containers
- ✓Metal cans
- ✓Cardboard and paper
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic grocery bags
- ✕Electronics
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Hazardous materials
Yard Waste Bin
Must be placed in biodegradable paper bags (max 40 lbs) or rigid containers marked with Town stickers. Branches must be tied in bundles under 4 feet long.
Accepted Items
- ✓Lawn clippings
- ✓Leaves
- ✓Plant debris
- ✓Branches and brush (up to 3 inches in diameter)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Varies by Private Hauler
Placement
Village residents may not set out bulky items before 7:00 p.m. the night before their scheduled collection. Town residents must follow their private carter's placement instructions.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture
- ✓ Mattresses
- ✓ Rolled carpets (depending on hauler rules)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Televisions and computers (E-waste)
- ✕ Hazardous waste
- ✕ Large quantities of building/concrete debris
- ✕ Tires
Private haulers usually charge an additional fee for bulk items. Alternatively, residents can transport bulk waste directly to the Colonie Landfill for a disposal fee.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
The Town Landfill and administrative offices close on these major holidays. For household trash, holiday delays depend entirely on your private carter's schedule. Village DPW schedules delay by one day.
Yard Waste Exception
If a legal holiday falls on a collection day, the municipal yard waste pick-up for all fire districts may be shifted to another day during that same week.
Always refer to your private hauler's website for their specific holiday operations regarding household garbage.
Observed Holidays
!Contamination Tips
No Plastic for Pumpkins or Leaves
The Town's yard waste composting facility strictly bans plastic. This means all leaves, grass clippings, and plant debris must be in biodegradable paper bags. Even seasonal orange 'pumpkin' leaf bags made of plastic will be rejected at the curb.
Use String, Not Wire
When bundling brush and branches for curbside pickup, only use natural twine or string. Bundles tied with wire, tape, or nylon cords will not be collected because they damage the grinding equipment at the compost facility.
Keep Soil Out of Yard Waste
Do not include rocks, sod, or heavy dirt in your yard waste bags. These materials are not compostable and create overweight bags that sanitation workers cannot safely lift.
Seasonal Information
Spring/Summer
May - AugustFinished yard waste compost is available free of charge to Colonie residents at the Landfill Residential Convenience Station on Arrowhead Lane starting in early May. It is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Autumn
September - DecemberTown-wide leaf and yard waste collection continues through mid-December (weather permitting). Ensure your leaves are bagged in biodegradable paper to guarantee pickup before snow arrives.
Winter
December - AprilCurbside yard waste collection is suspended. Additionally, the Town Landfill operates on reduced Saturday hours (7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.) from October through May.
About Colonie Waste Management
Navigating Colonie's Split Waste System
Solid waste collection in Colonie varies significantly depending on your exact address. Residents living in the unincorporated Town of Colonie must independently contract with a licensed private hauler (such as Waste Connections, Twin Bridges, or County Waste) for their weekly curbside trash and recycling. However, if you reside within the incorporated boundaries of the Village of Colonie or the Village of Menands, municipal Department of Public Works (DPW) crews handle your weekly pickups. Regardless of who collects your garbage, all residents are subject to the overarching Town regulations regarding landfill usage and yard waste.
Town-Wide Yard Waste and Free Compost
While trash collection is privatized in the Town, yard waste collection is managed municipally through a contract with County Waste. The town is divided into specific collection zones aligned with local fire districts (e.g., Mondays for Midway/Stanford Heights, Tuesdays for Loudonville). Yard waste is processed at the Town Yard Waste Composting Facility on Loudon Road. In an excellent circular initiative, the resulting humus-like compost is given back to Colonie residents absolutely free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis starting each May at the Residential Convenience Station.
The Local Food Scraps Drop Spot Initiative
To help keep organic material out of the landfill, residents can participate in the Colonie Compost Project. A 24/7 food scraps drop-off location is maintained outside the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on Albany Shaker Road. Homeowners collect their food scraps and deposit them here weekly, where they are eventually transported to a facility that utilizes worms (Vermiluv) to transform the waste into nutrient-rich garden fertilizer. Participation is limited, so residents should reach out to Zero Waste Capital District for access.
Mandatory Pre-Registration for Hazardous Waste
The Colonie Landfill does not accept household hazardous waste (HHW) during its regular operating hours. Instead, the Town of Colonie hosts three specialized HHW drop-off events annually—typically in June, September, and November—at the Residential Convenience Station at 4 Arrowhead Lane. Residents must pre-register by calling the MXI Environmental Corp hotline at 1-800-742-5542 to participate. Proof of residency is strictly enforced, and commercial waste is barred from these events.
Electronics and Tire Disposal Options
Electronic waste, including old televisions and computers, is banned from curbside garbage by New York State law. Colonie residents have the advantage of taking these items, along with fluorescent light bulbs and up to eight rimless car or light truck tires, directly to the Town's Residential Waste Transfer Station for proper recycling. Heavy scrap metal and appliances containing Freon can also be dropped off here, keeping hazardous materials out of the general landfill stream.
Drop-off Facilities
Colonie Landfill & Residential Convenience Station
4 Arrowhead Lane, Cohoes, NY 12047
Materials Accepted
Colonie Compost Drop Off Site
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 510 Albany Shaker Rd, Loudonville, NY 12211
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
Why doesn't the Town of Colonie pick up my weekly garbage?
The Town of Colonie operates under a private subscription system for solid waste. This means residents outside of the incorporated villages must hire a private hauling company (like Waste Connections or Twin Bridges) for regular trash and recycling collection. Only the Villages of Colonie and Menands offer municipal DPW pickup.
How do I dispose of old electronics and televisions in Colonie?
Electronic waste cannot be thrown in the regular garbage. Colonie residents can bring old televisions, computers, and monitors directly to the Residential Waste Transfer Station located at 4 Arrowhead Lane for proper recycling.
What is the schedule for yard waste and brush collection?
Yard waste is picked up by a town contractor (County Waste) on specific days based on your local fire district. For example, Mondays cover Midway and Stanford Heights, while Tuesdays cover Loudonville. Call the yard waste hotline at (518) 783-2795 for your exact day.
How can I dispose of old paint and household chemicals?
Household hazardous waste is not accepted daily at the landfill. The town hosts three drop-off events per year (usually June, September, and November). You must pre-register by calling 1-800-742-5542 to bring hazardous materials to these specific events.